See below for information about the Orlando Sings Symphonic Chorus (amateur + professional core) and how to audition. Professional singers interested in auditioning for the Solaria Singers can find audition information here —> Solaria Auditions

ORLANDO SINGS SYMPHONIC CHORUS AUDITIONS

WHO ARE SYMPHONIC CHORUS SINGERS? WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Choral enthusiasts— those who have continued singing in choirs throughout their life.
• People who sang in high school and/ or college and miss it— you need to get singing back into your life!
• Members of any of our fine church or community choirs in the area (hopefully to join in addition to your current choir, not to replace)
• Graduates from any of the phenomenal high school chorus programs in our area— y’all will thrive in this choir!
• Anyone with previous piano, band, or orchestra ensemble experience interested in experiencing the joys of choral music.
• Choral professionals, including music educators– come “sharpen your saw” as a choral director, sing amazing repertoire, and just enjoy!
• Successful auditionees must confidently match pitch.
• Successful auditionees will demonstrate fundamental music reading ability. If it has been a while, don’t worry— we will help you dust off those skills!
• + Professional Core singers (see below), including some members of Solaria.

BENEFITS SINGING IN THE ORLANDO SINGS SYMPHONIC CHORUS

• Weekly time to stretch, breathe deeply, be in that amazing choral sound, and renew your spirit.
• FREE weekly vocal coaching/ group voice lessons (optional 30 minutes before rehearsal).
• Perform with an outstanding choir and professional orchestral musicians.
• Meet and interact with nationally and internationally known composers-in-residence.
• Opportunities for international travel on future choir tours.
• Sheet Music provided.
• Discounted tickets for the Orlando Sings Mardi Gras Gala.
• Childcare may be provided during rehearsal if there is enough interest.
• Perform in the new acoustically perfect Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
• The goosebumps, chills, and extraordinary mountaintop musical moments.
• Being part of a wonderful community of lovely choir friends!

Tuesdays, September through May, not including holidays or spring break.
6:15-6:45 pm Free Group Voice Lessons and Vocal Coaching (optional)
6:45-9:00 pm Rehearsal
Additional rehearsals (e.g. concert dress rehearsals and orchestra rehearsals) will be scheduled depending on the season’s concert schedule.

SCHEDULE AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

Rehearsal Location: First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 2nd floor Contemporary Worship Center. 142 E Jackson Street, Orlando, FL 32801.

All singers selected for the Symphonic Chorus must acquire the OSSC concert attire and pay a registration fee each year ($120), which covers the cost of sheet music. Singers keep their music for use in future seasons. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee. Orlando Sings is committed to equity, access, and inclusion, and no singer will be turned away if the registration fee creates a financial hardship. All singers will also be invited to make an annual donation to support the Orlando Sings mission. Any donation may be given as a lump sum or set up as a smaller monthly autopay donation.

Our current COVID Policy can be found here —> Orlando Sings COVID Policy

AUDITION INFORMATION

We are excited to meet you and hear you! Though it may seem like there is a lot to the audition, we want to give you as many opportunities as possible to show the ways you would contribute to the Orlando Sings Symphonic Chorus. A successful chorus is a wonderful mix of strengths, and we want you to be able to share yours with us. Please note that we will not be able to accept everyone who auditions for the Orlando Sings Symphonic Chorus. However, we will be happy to provide feedback to everyone who auditions. Once selected, current members must re-audition every two years.

Auditions will be held in downtown Orlando. When you arrive at your audition, you will be greeted by one of our volunteers, checked in, and then wait for your turn to enter the audition room. You can expect for your audition to last about 10 minutes. Orlando Sings Symphonic Chorus conductor Dr. Andrew Minear and an accompanist will be present to guide you through the audition requirements:

1. My Country ’Tis of Thee—  You will be asked to sing the melody using music that we’ll provide at the audition (you can preview the music here). The panel is listening for tone quality, vowel shapes, resonance, freedom, diction, intonation, pitch/rhythm accuracy, control, phrasing, and expressive singing. This does not need to be memorized.
2. Vocalizing—  You will be guided through warm-ups to listen to your range, tone quality, and intonation. No advance preparation is needed for this part of the audition.
3. Rhythm Reading— You will receive a short rhythm-reading exercise upon arrival at the audition space and be asked to perform it for the panel. You are welcome to use a rhythm syllable system (Ta Ti-Ti, Takadimi, etc.) if you wish, but it is not required. You will be given time to study the exercise before reading it aloud.
4. Aural Skills— The panel will play a series of pitches on the piano and ask you to sing them back. No advance preparation is needed for this part of the audition.
5. Prepared Excerpt— Before the audition, learn your part to a Bach chorale in English (score is available here) and sing it. Our pianist will play with you. The panel is listening for tone quality, vowel shapes, resonance, freedom, diction, intonation, pitch/rhythm accuracy, control, phrasing, and expressive singing. If you have not prepared the Bach Chorale, you will be excused.

PROFESSIONAL CORE

We offer a limited number of paid singing positions in the Orlando Sings Symphonic Chorus each season. These paid singers make up our “professional core.” Our professional core members serve as musical leaders of the ensemble, are required to prepare their music in advance, serve as advisors to the Conductor, and provide support to all members of the Chorus.

Anyone can sign up for a professional core audition. Those who choose to audition for the professional core will also be automatically considered for regular membership in the Symphonic Chorus. All professional core members must re-audition every year. Professional core auditions require additional preparation.

PROFESSIONAL CORE AUDITION

Those choosing to audition for the Professional Core will complete the audition requirements above, AND…

1. Perform 2 minutes of a prepared solo. Please bring two copies of your solo, one in a format that is pianist friendly.
2. Melodic Sight Reading. You will receive a short melodic exercise upon arrival at the audition space and be asked to perform it for the panel. You are welcome to use solfege syllables (or numbers, etc.) if you wish, but it is not required. You will be given time to study the exercise before reading it aloud.
3. Foreign Language Pronunciation. You will be given a Latin text commonly sung by choirs and asked to read an excerpt.

Our current COVID Policy can be found here —> Orlando Sings COVID Policy

Questions related to auditions may be directed via email to info@orlandosings.org.